ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Gilgandra

T’was in the year of 1915 and our country was at war
the ugly pale of death and hardship cut us to the core.
When the call went out for volunteers to stand up and be counted
the sterling efforts of Gilgandra folk cannot be discounted.

Thirty-five of Gilgandra’s finest answered their countries call
as they hit the road to Sydney town cheered by one and all.
Their numbers swelled as on they strode in sunshine and in rain
Two hundred and sixty three, all volunteers their courage would not wane.

Yes it started in Gilgandra and was a prelude to many more
The Coo-ee march of 1915 sent our young men off to war.
The town of many Windmills all Australians must embrace
in our country's history it will always hold a very special place.

Bob Pacey ( C )

seems both you and I picked up on the coo-ee factor Bob - I like this poem of yours.

Tweaked it just a little to make it smoother - what do you think???

T’was in the year 1915- our country was at war
the ugly pale of death and hardship cut us to the core. (I think pall would be better as in dread or shroud)
When the call went out for volunteers to stand up and be counted
the sterling efforts of Gilgandra folk should never be discounted.

Gilgandra’s finest thirty five answered their countries call
and they hit the road to Sydney town cheered on by one and all.
Their numbers swelled as they strode on in sunshine and in rain
Two hundred and sixty three men volunteered and all were game.

Yes it started in Gilgandra, a prelude to many more
The Coo-ee march of 1915 sent young men to war.
The town of many Windmills all Australians should embrace
for in our history, Gilgandra holds a very special place.

Bob. It's going well, so I think it's worth considering some more of the story.

The coo-ee march is a very famous event, a good theme to work on for a ballad.

Thanks Maureen and Nev I started it in response to Sue's note about saying something positive about Gilgandra.

Just sort of flowed after that.

Cheers bob

Just a little error Bobbo. Should be country's (one country).

Do not use a capital for windmill. This is a common mistake where people use a capital for something they consider important but it is not a proper noun.

That's today's lesson over. Thank you.

Heather

Thanks Mum.

See I used a capital cause Mum is important.

Bob

Yes, but only when referring to Mum as her title or name. If you were to say, "my mum" or "the mums" you would use lower case.

If anyone is interested there is a great and inexpensive book called English Essentials by Mem Fox and Lyn Wilkinson (I think). I've loaned my copy. It is an easy to read and and understand book.

Heather

Mums The Word Ok.


Robert

OK Miss Purple one - you can be the English teacher - that was a great explanation I understood that will now try to remember it

I've been dobbed as 'spellcheck'

Any volunteers for punctuation?????

I think we have all the rhyming etc etc bits covered by Glenny, David, Zondrae, Peely and co.

Audios are Bills forte

Devils advocate appears to be Neville - he always makes us think.

Love hearts are Darrens and Bob has control of Humour (capital 'cause it's important)

Music and singing are Hullys thing and songwriting is Mannies

Have we missed anything ??????????

Why can it not be BOB and Darren ?

If I can't be captain I'll take my ball and go home.

Bob